While no specs are being given, Cadillac is confirming that the ELR will use a version of the same Voltec drivetrain as the Volt, though probably v1.5, and the on-board generator will again be a gasoline four-cylinder engine.

The Wreath and Crest brand isn't giving much insight as to why the letters E-L-R have been chosen, only saying they want to "indicate the car's electric propulsion technology" and remain consistent with the brand's three-letter naming scheme. Maybe they stand for "Electric Luxury Ride," or maybe someone over at General Motors is a big Everybody Loves Raymond fan. What do you think ELR stands for? Have your say in Comments.

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Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELR

Luxury touring coupe gets extended-range electric vehicle technology

DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery's energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

"The concept generated instant enthusiasm," said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. "Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving."

Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car's electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand's 3-letter international model naming convention.

The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

"There's no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2," Welburn said.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

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As I noted before, THIS makes more economic sense than the Volt. I can understand GM's logic in trying for a mass-market type car - I just thought it was wrong. Cadillac has a history of breaking out new automotive technology - going all the way back to interchangeable parts and the electric starter.

GM, please, please, build a RHD version while the $AUS is still strong against the $US. If you can build it under $75,000 I can beat the Australian Luxury Import Tax! It'll sell a million downunder! What a desirable vehicle! This will really propel GM Volt sales. The old tried and true GM marketing formula, a model for every price bracket. GM Volt, base executive family sedan. GM Buick Ampera, upper management, professional. Cadillac, ELR, cool coupe, denoting success! All this, and EV too! The important thing to remember is that the Cadillac ELR, like the Lexus hybrid, is not targeted at ABG readers. But it will convert a lot of influential people to the virtues of EV's,and a greener lifestyle.

Thats much cooler looking than the Volt... but obviously not a good $deal..... its a status toy/ luxury car....... It is still cleaner and more fuel efficient than others gas powered cars that look like that.... comparing this little 2 door executive sports coupe to a Karma or Type S is really apples to oranges. Its a spiffed out Volt in caddy coupe style for those with loot to boot on a two door toy of this type.... all the more rare in this economy climate....

Anonymous

3 Years Ago

From an industrial design point of view, it is a very beautiful design. Most people would die for it if it had Audi, BMW or Porche on the emblem. Not putting those car down, they are good also. The good thing is that it is made in America, promoting energy coservation, great technology, beautiful design, & by a company that would have gone way under like everything else in this country or maybe built in China, India, Japan, Korea, or Germany. Then some people would like it more, and which it would be made in America. We need to take pride in having made in America, promoting domestic jobs, by a domestic company which is still alive and on the rebound. I really like it More power to made in America, domestic jobs. GM keep up the good work, and always give us your best, cause that's what made this country great. Continue to develop the best cars as possible and you will be number 1 again. I which, I could purchase this Caddy, its a trend setter. People learn to appreciate the good domestic product being produced, made in America. And, what ever you all do it your best ability, cause that's what puts you on top. I love this car I saw it at the NY Auto Show. GM just keep the quality and customer satifaction in mind.

wow... ugly? seriously? Big rectangular box's are ugly! 12MPG's real world is ugly! Importing oil from countries that sponsor terrorism is ugly! your posting name is ugly! the ELR is not ugly, but many other things are....

Anonymous

3 Years Ago

Still no flexible-fuel generator without mechanical connection to the wheels, damn it. Nor the option for solar roof. Well, the aesthetics surely provide that Lamborghini Reventón feel of modern refinement to it. Perhaps abit wishful thinking that they'd merge flex-fuel and hybrid on these luxury cars. There's really no need to divide and hide all that technology.

Actually, there is. Throwing everything and the kitchen sink is not a very effective way of making the best advantage of the technologies. Making extra investment on a technology that gets used less often is wasteful. The engine as a range extender should be cheap an light, so you are not lugging around an idle advanced engine that could be used every day in a different vehicle. It's far more beneficial - and economic - to get these technologies distributed across the fleet than concentrated in one platform.

Anonymous

3 Years Ago

@John Lee

Yeah, I understand the point of view. That is also an excellent way to increase sustainability. However, these aren't exactly your typical fleet vehicles with price point of up to a $100k give or take a few ten grands. Which is why the remark "on these luxury cars". More like family/sports cars for executives and such. It's kind of like saying that S-Class Mercedes-Benz shouldn't have all the safety features first, but they should be scattered to increase safety of the whole fleet. It's not an either or case, but doing both. Increase the fleet sustainability by adding selected components on them while keeping the cost down and using the flagship cars like Cadillac ELR and Mercedes-Benz S-Class to showcase and test the true excellence of their engineering.

"Flex-fueled" I could see, GM has a lot of experience there. But "generator without mechanical connection to the wheels" would mean lower fuel economy in "range extending mode", which is why they changed the Volt design. This obsession with "series only hybrids" is quite inexplicable, when "split path hybrids" are notably more fuel efficient.

Things to come: GM is knee deep in battery testing and pack development and lots of good BEV's vehicles are in the pipeline... not just from GM either. Every major automakers and many minor automakers are heavily invested in developing future BEV's that should launch in the next few years. I really like the range extended platform, especially if they can get down to using natural gas in a small wankel for the genset.... it really does give all of the benefits of a BEV without any of the shortcomming's (long change times, excessive upfront cost, range limit/ anxiety, deep cycling-shorter total life, ect)....

Just remember that what you are seeing is a concept, not the production vehicle. Remember the Volt concept? It is highly unlikely they will engineer something from scratch. If you want to see what is likely to happen, look at a current Delta II platform 3 door like the Astra. Keep the proportions and door openings the same and apply a skin of Caddilac-styled non-structural sheet metal and facias. It would be closer to the original concept than the Volt, but not exactly what you see here. http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/opel-vauxhall-coming-to-frankfurt-with-secret-concept-plus-two-p/

For all you tree huggers out there, who prate about how valuable used Toyota Pruises are: http://flint.craigslist.org/cto/2554020325.html $1500.00 or best offer. I suspect Chevy Volts will be pretty much given away, once their battery needs replacing. And of course, you can spend $55,000.00 for one of THESE, and give it away 9 years later, too...assuming the battery lasts 9 years, which it won't. Have a nice day.

Anonymous

2 Months Ago

@Jim Hubert

It doesn't matter how many times people like this are proven wrong, they never seem to get the idea of technology as a developmental process. Hey Jim, how smart would you have looked if you criticized gas cars in 1890? Most amazing new tech takes 20-30 years to really catch on. Here is a news flash for you, we "Tree Huggers" KNOW that this tech is in its infancy and has drawbacks. It took 25 years to get Penicillin production worked out. Cell phones, computers, etc... follow the same model. How about you start embracing tech development rather than try and tear it down? "Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a carpenter to build one" - LBJ